Protective measures
The design of a new public building is a human endeavour, the result of which effects many people – as such it is often complex to progress, to keep all interested parties happy with the progress, and to communicate the intent of the project. However, for someone outwith the delivery team it is remarkably simple to form an impression of the project – a perception of how good it will be and what it will mean to us. As with any human endeavour what most people respond to is an honest intent; the recognition in response to what is done, said and - in the case of new building designs - drawn that the people in control are seeking a truly beneficial outcome.
Three years of working with the public sector clients has shown me this honest intent is much more prevalent than I’d dared to hope. So why is the public impression so different? Could it be the habit of approaching public servants with suspicion (both of their motives and competency) is, in part, causing just the secrecy, bureaucracy and defensive engagement that engenders these suspicions. Our attitudes and actions are, in part, the cause of the defensive stance taken by many public officials....
Though somewhat contrary to current media preoccupations, I do wonder if process and accountability at any cost produces real value... One of my recent ‘heros’ pondered, after a soul sapping procurement process, if it would not have been possible to cut out 80% of the process (and with that the cost) and only loose 20% of the auditability... A bit of trust, respect and an honest and open intent in both directions - seeing the fellow human - could get us much further.
A cautionary quote comes to mind “argue for your limitations and sure enough they’re yours”.....
